Vincent Brown was the 18th pick in round three of the 2011 NFLDraft by the San Diego Chargers. Brown appeared in 12 games last season including four starts leading to 19 receptions, 329 yards and two touchdowns. If Brown played in all 16 games, he was on pace for 25 receptions, 439 yards and three touchdowns. San Diego lost Vincent Jackson in free agency to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 13, 2012. San Diego brought in Robert Meachem on the same day to make up for some of the production they lost.

Brown finished his 2010 season at the University of San Diego State with 69 receptions, 1,352 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games. While college success does not always translate to success in the NFL, Brown will have more chances this season to make an impact with San Diego. Antonio Gates, Meachem and Malcom Floyd will more than likely be the first, second and third options for Philip Rivers when he drops back to pass. However, Gates missed six games in 2010 and three games last season while Floyd missed five games in 2010 and four games last season. The potential absence of Floyd and Gates could present more opportunities for Brown.

Although Gates is a tight end and Brown is a wide receiver, San Diego might decide to go with a blocking TE in certain situations should Gates miss games in 2012, which would give their receivers more chances at times. The most receptions that Floyd and Meachem had in a season were 45 in 2009, so this could also mean more chances for Brown because they do not have experience in carrying the workload as a number one or number two option for a full season. It will take a group effort to replace Jackson’s 60 receptions, 1,106 receiving yards and nine TD receptions from 2011, and I expect Brown to be a part of it.